I can vividly remember how excited I was to celebrate Merdeka. There was no one to drive me around Dataran Merdeka to witness the anticipated countdown – reasons might include the fact that I had no driving license, no money or maybe because I was 12 years old where possessions is not worth mentioning. But save for Tamiya, Bumblebee Yo-yo, PSX (the big grey console) and Pokemon trading cards I once owned.So there I was, watching the countdown live on national channel, traditionally followed by mesmerizing fireworks. I could only repeat the sacred Merdeka shout in front of the television, only to find myself green envy with a friend who told me that he was at the Dataran that night.
I would wake up early in the morning, again, not at Dataran Merdeka to witness the parade, but in front of television to watch the time-honored procession. But it was fun though, to watch the march past via a bird-aerial view, on the couch at home. Maybe the same ignorance Malaysia football fans have when asked why didn’t they watch football matches at the stadium. So I declared, I have to be there one day. Okay, at least during the countdown.
The highlight might be one of which a new national car (or prototype) was displayed on a well designed truck, usually with colorful flowers enfolded (I mean on the truck, not the prototype). And also the inch perfect march past by the armies, usually led by display of recently bought armored combat vehicles and air demonstration by fighter jets. Wow, terror nya!
It was during that time my school would put flags on sale at the school bookshop. I think it costs only thirty cents to wave the flag around – until one day it had been made compulsory for students to buy one, to be waved during the D-Day. Since 31st August is a school holiday, the D-Day usually took place one or two days earlier.
Keranamu Malaysia was a chart-topping hit song among my classmates, as we had been given the honor to sing the song as the main catch during the D-Day. I think we were among the earliest in the school to ever listen to the song, which was brilliantly composed by Pak Ngah and adroitly written by Siso, the guy from Kopratasa.
Buruh, nelayan dan juga petani,
Gaya hidup kini dah berubah..
The song was made the official national day song from 2000 to 2006. I am not sure why new songs (Malaysiaku Gemilang, and the latest Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan) need to be sound staged and aired as national day song when Keranamu Malaysia was catchy and simple enough to inculcate patriotism, at least to kids.
But time flies, and much to my dismay, so the spirit I long hold on to. I went to The Curve last night for the countdown. Other than the colorful fireworks, Negaraku, Ferhad and Murni SS2, I got all but sprayed with white, scented foam (obviously not like any of Shabeery Cheek’s) and went home wondering how fluctuated my Merdeka spirit has become.
So I decided to make up the hopeless night with something of use, and of course patriotic by attending an art exhibition at The Annexe, where images, archival materials and artifacts that portrays invented constructs of Malaya during the Colonial Era were put on display. There were also film screenings of movies about anything Malaysiana by talented indie directors.
A friend of mine bought a book by Hishamuddin Rais, and a nice abstract painting, maybe for his room. A minute later a fanzine, which grabbed my interest at the very first page with exceptional and fairly unconventional language usage and editorial masterpiece, InnerView.
On my way home as I was still searching for my long lost audacity of showing how I love the country, something crossed my mind – maybe an answer why this weird feeling came knocking on an important day of my country’s history.
Because an important day for my religion just well outshine Hari Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu. Ramadhan, penghulu segala bulan. Bulan umat Islam, where patience and humility are put into test, regardless how hard your country gain independence.
It is the time to reflect and reconnect – not to judge. And above all, to develop undisputed love for The One.
Only then Merdeka can be well appreciated.
Selamat Hari Jadi Ke 51, Malaysia dan Selamat Menyambut Ramadhan Al-Mubarak, Muslimin dan Muslimat.Moga Merdeka lah kita hendaknya.
ko nek bas ke?biar betul???